Hejduk Called Up by USA

Columbus Crew defender Frankie Hejduk, a USA national team veteran who started the first three matches in the final round of World Cup qualifying before being slowed by injuries, has been recalled for Saturday's game at Honduras and next Wednesday's match vs. Costa Rica at RFK Stadium.

He replaces Clint Dempsey, who sprained a shoulder over the weekend in England and will miss at least one qualifier. The USSF initially said it would not fill Dempsey's slot but changed course. Hejduk will arrive at training camp this evening and join the squad for practice Wednesday.

Hejduk, 35, is an outside defender who can also play on the midfield flank. He played all 90 minutes against Mexico, El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago early this year, scoring in San Salvador as part of a two-goal comeback to earn a draw.

Of the entire player pool, Frankie is perhaps the most unflappable player (for example, he was pretty much the only player who showed up for the '98 finals in France, and he was critical in getting a point out of the most recent trip to El Salvador). Calling him up instead of a promising youngster or career journeyman is a good move, IMHO.

sat a couple rows in front of frankie in kaiserslautern against italy, and talked to him after the game. well, he was super drunk and just slurred a lot but i would have been drunk too if i were watching that intense game knowing i'd be on the field if it weren't for an injury.

I thank all for your wonderful remarks. I am either listening to Josh86, who is my normal viewing partner out here in AZ, and doing the road trip, or going hiking in Sedona and having a spiritual moment.

Hejduk won me over with the elsalvador game. while he was responsible for one of the goals conceeded, he was the reason we were able to come back and get the draw. and its good for the camp to have a veteran leader around, especially one who maintains an excellent fitness level.

how can anyone hate frankie? he is the man! another "caveman", in the ben olsen tradition. remember when he got slapped in the tunnel by a mexican assistant coach? talk about a guy who can get under your skin!

Love Frankie, hope he is there mainly for moral support in Honduras - with a late cameo to chase Honduras into submission. I hope he won't play in DC at all b/c I would much rather watch Cherundulo and Spector (although maybe not Bornstein).

HEY-DUDE. Great call up. We need a vet with his kind of tanacity, expirience and workrate. That kind of stuff can really rub off on the younger players at this critical time in qualifying. Remember, we got 7 points out of the three games he played in, and he scorred the goal that got us the point at el salvador. Great move by bradley.